Other upgrades include a lighter weight, greater comfort and a larger infotainment display.
Porsche has been working for a mid-cycle refresh of its smaller SUVs for some time. Although the Stuttgart-based company has not yet released a press release about the Macan facelift we do have details about the 2019 model year. Autocar was able to take the updated version for a drive in South Africa. Porsche was kind enough share valuable information with British magazine about the Cayenne’s younger brother.
Power is the first thing. While the base model still uses a turbocharged 2.0 liter gasoline engine, its output has increased 52 horsepower to 248 hp to almost 300 hp. The Macan S will offer more power. It uses a 3.0-liter V6 engine sourced from the Panamera. This is a 20-hp increase over the previous model’s 335 horsepower.
The Macan S facelift with 355 horsepower will come dangerously close to its sportier counterpart, but Porsche has a solution: the next Macan GTS will have an upgrade to position it at a “respectable distance” above the S model.
The Macan Turbo will be the top-of-the-line Macan S. It will have the same engine as the Macan S but with a 2.9-liter engine to unleash a beefy 434 horsepower or 40 more than the 3.6 liter unit that powers the current Macan. This new output number will be identical to the one found in the Macan S fitted with the optional Performance Pack. Porsche engineers came up with a shorter stroke to accommodate the extra power. This is why the 2.9 will not be 3.0.
Autocar reports that the refreshed Macan will not be offered with a diesel engine, despite rumors suggesting that a hybrid version would be available for the current generation.
Porsche has made some significant changes to the engine, as well as adding aluminum uprights to the suspension in order to reduce weight. The plan is to improve ride quality and handling. Exterior styling changes will be minimal in Porsche style and will include discretely modified taillights and headlights, as well as redesign bumpers.
The cabin will see more significant changes. As you can see in the spy shot above, the 2019 Macan facelift will include a larger display for the infotainment systems. Porsche will have to adjust the shape and position of the central air vents on the middle console to make the screen bigger.
The 2019 Porsche Macan will be officially revealed later in the year.